What to Do When Personal and Professional Commitments Compete for Your Time

You’re double booked. It’s not just one meeting scheduled over another. It’s something for your family at odds with a work commitment. These situations can trigger guilt and stress, but there are ways you can minimize these feelings with some thought and creativity.

First, define how you want to prioritize your time when professional and personal commitments collide. Think general guidelines for when to choose for work versus family commitments by reflecting on your values, family culture, individual preferences, and job constraints. Then, expand your thinking on the number of options available to you in situations where you wish you could be in two places at once you can’t. Consider options like delegating the commitment, splitting your time, attending places virtually, or seeing if there are ways to participate in advance.